RULES FOR PLAYER ROTATION IN WESTWOOD YOUTH SOFTBALL
Westwood Youth Softball supports and strongly suggests that coaches follow guidelines stated below regarding player rotation in the field for our spring and fall Metrowest travel games.
Grade 3&4
If you have more than 10 players for your game, then no player shall sit out more than once per game before every other player has sat at least once during that game. A player cannot play more than two consecutive innings in the outfield without being given an opportunity to play an infield position; P, C, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or SS. Note: Sitting a player after two innings in the outfield does not allow you to send that player back out to the outfield before playing an infield position. The maximum number of innings a player may play at the same position is 2 in a row before that player must be rotated to another position.
Exceptions:
Pitcher – League rules allow for 3 innings per game which can be in a row and Catcher – in case you do not have more than two on your team. But you should be encouraging your players at this level to try pitching and/or catching at least once during the season.
Grade 5 & 6
If you have more than 10 players for your game, then no player shall sit out more than once per game before every other player has sat at least once during that game. A player cannot play more than two consecutive innings in the outfield without being given an opportunity to play an infield position; P, C, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or SS. Note: Sitting a player after two innings in the outfield does not allow you to send that player back out to the outfield before playing an infield position. The maximum number of innings a player may play at the same position is 2 in a row before that player must be rotated to another position.
Exceptions:
Pitcher – League rules allow for 3 innings per game, which can be altogether and Catcher – in case you do not have more than two on your team. But you should be encouraging your players at this level to try pitching and/or catching at least once during the season.
Grade 7 & 8
If you have more than 10 players for your game, then no player shall sit out more than once per game before every other player has sat at least once during that game. A player cannot play more than two consecutive innings in the outfield without being given an opportunity to play an infield position; P, C, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or SS. Note: Sitting a player after two innings in the outfield does not allow you to send that player back out to the outfield before playing an infield position. No player should remain in the same position for more than 3 consecutive innings including pitchers and catchers.
WYS is very serious and concerned about making sure that all of our players are getting a chance to play, but also that everyone is given an opportunity regardless of their experience or talent level. WYS will take steps to insure that all coaches and teams are following these guidelines.